If you are suffering from teeth that have a great amount of discoloration, you may be looking for ways to brighten your smile. There are many different whitening applications that can help minimize dental discoloration. Here are a few of them:
Over-the-counter Whitening Applications
There are various whitening kits and products available for purchase at local drug stores without a prescription. These whitening products are usually peroxide-based gels, rinses or toothpastes. When they are applied to the teeth, the peroxide helps bleach away dental stains. However, these products may require repeated use for in order for you to see visible results.
Still, over-the-counter whitening applications are usually effective at lightening light to medium discoloration. It is important to use the product only as directed. People who use over-the-counter whitening products more often than directed may experience an increase in dental sensitivity.
Professional Whitening Treatments
Professional whitening treatments may be applied in the office of your dental provider. However, the dentist may also offer in-home whitening treatments.
In-office Whitening
An in-office whitening application is applied by a professional. The gels that are used are safe but contain a higher concentration of bleaching agents than over-the-counter products. To ensure that the whitening solution does not inflame sensitive soft tissues of the mouth, such as the gums, the dentist may apply a protective gel or solution to the gums before applying the treatment. In addition, he or she may use a dental tool to hold the lips away from the teeth during the whitening session.
Once the whitening gel or solution has been applied to the teeth, a special ultraviolet light may be used to help intensify the effects of the product. An in-office whitening session can lighten the teeth multiple shades during a single session.
Dentist-prescribed At-home Whitening
The dentist may also prescribe an at-home whitening treatment that can be applied by the patient. The concentration of the gel or whitening solution used is not as high as that of an in-office treatment. However, it is effective. To achieve the best whitening results, the at-home treatment should be applied systematically for the prescribed duration.
If you are interested in having your teeth whitened, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist near you. He or she can assess the state of your teeth to determine the best whitening application for you. If you have permanent dental staining that cannot be removed with a bleaching product, the dentist may suggest the use of veneers. Contact a company like Image Dentistry for more info.
Share17 March 2016
